by Keith Bassham
A couple of months back, the Tribune’s assistant editor, Rob Walker, came to me with an idea for the January issue. He envisioned a theme, something along the lines of “15 for ’15,” and you will see that idea woven through this Tribune. That idea was just one of the most immediate reasons Rob brings a huge value to this office, and indeed, to our Fellowship.
Rob’s fingerprints are on every page we produce as he brings his artistic and editorial skills to bear. He is the whole package — a skilled and pleasant co-worker, a loving father and husband, and a serious Christian. I would have to look long and hard to find another like him.
The same can be said of Karri Joy Perry, our front desk person. Her official title is Director of Office Services, but, like Rob, her skill set and range of work encompasses so much more than the title implies. Detailed and a bit finicky — which is what you want and need in a person who works with finances — with a perpetually clear desk, it would take at least two, and maybe more, people to replace her. She can edit, proof, and even re-compose when called upon. She knows how to unbury a lead, and how to rid wordy prose of unnecessary demonstrative pronouns. And she enforces the publishing deadline, which means she manages my workflow at least a few days each month.
I take this opportunity as we move from 2014 to the New Year to express my appreciation for my two very gifted assistants in this important ministry into which God has called the three of us. Yes, what we do here really is a calling, and we all treat it so.
The Tribune is not mere journalism, though we do some journalistic things. Nor is it purely promotion, though there is a bit of marketing involved. No, the Tribune is, and I think this is the way founder Noel Smith envisioned, not even the voice of the Fellowship. Rather, it is a way we manage to converse with one another about things, issues, and people most of the rest of the world would find out of place.
Think now. How would the story of Marjorie Browning make sense in a world absent the grace of God and the goodness of a Savior? And while many living outside the grace of God may speak of learning to live more simply, or knowing when to make innovations, or understanding liberal giving as we have in this issue of the Tribune — do you not find it satisfying that these types of things can be treated in such a way to make them holy, and a part of worshipful living?
We hope to keep the “15 for ‘15” meme going for a while, and for that matter we hope the Tribune can continue to make the important contributions to our Fellowship, but we will need your help to make it so.